DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Security Forces

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the number of persons who have  (a) enlisted in and  (b) deserted from the (i) Afghan National Army and (ii) Afghan Police in each of the last 12 months.

Liam Fox: We are making excellent progress on growing the Afghan national security forces and are currently ahead of schedule for meeting the target of 171,600 Afghan National Army and 134,000 Afghan National Police by the end of 2011.
	Recruitment and retention are matters for the Government of Afghanistan but we will continue to work closely with them to help build their capacity and capability.

Armed Forces: Young People

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has sought legal advice from  (a) the Attorney-General and  (b) external sources on the compatibility with human rights legislation of the terms of service in the armed forces of people under the age of 18 years.

Andrew Robathan: The long-standing rule, recognised by successive Governments, states that whether advice has been or has not been received from the Attorney-General is not normally disclosed outside Government. We are content that our personnel's terms and conditions of service are fully compatible with human rights legislation.
	The UK ratified the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict in June 2003. It requires all feasible measures to be taken to ensure that members of the armed forces who have not attained the age of 18 years do not take part in hostilities.

Armed Forces: Young People

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the Government's response to the recommendations in respect of under 18-year-olds in the Army contained in the 25th Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Session 2008-09, on Children's Rights, HC 318.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 19 October 2010
	The Department has received five letters from Members of Parliament and interested parties which make specific reference to the 25th Report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights on Children's Rights.

BAE Systems

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings he has had with BAE Systems on the recent  (a) grounding of the BAE Systems Hawk T.1 Trainer and  (b) temporary suspension of all but non-essential Typhoon aircraft.

Peter Luff: None. Ministry of Defence officials have, however, had a number of meetings with BAE Systems in order to maintain the continued airworthiness of the Hawk T1 and Typhoon aircraft.
	Both aircraft fleets are currently airworthy and available for operational tasking.

Departmental Manpower

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) officials and  (b) external advisers are working on his Department's Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Liam Fox: Within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), a team of about 30 people was established to co-ordinate the Defence contribution to the Strategic Defence and Security Review. A wide range of personnel across the MOD and armed forces participated in developing that contribution.
	The Department also consulted a number of external experts during the Review. The National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office conducted a series of formal and informal consultation exercises with external experts which senior officials from the MOD participated in. No external experts were employed by the Department for this work.

Departmental Visits Abroad

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on overseas visits for senior officials in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Andrew Robathan: Business expenses incurred by the most senior civil servants (director general and above) on official visits, including overseas, are published by the Ministry of Defence on a quarterly basis at the following website:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Expenses/SeniorStaffBusinessExpenses.htm

Radioactive Materials: Transport

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2008,  Official Report, column 484W, on radioactive materials: transport, what the cost of the procurement of new truck cargo heavy duty tractor heads and trailer refurbishment was; and what the unit cost was of the new vehicles.

Peter Luff: The total cost of the procurement of nine new truck cargo heavy duty tractor heads, eight refurbished truck cargo heavy duty trailers plus associated research and development costs was £12 million at outturn prices.

Strategic Defence and Security Review

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) meetings and  (b) other consultation his Department has (i) held and (ii) planned with members of academia as part of his Department's Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Liam Fox: The Ministry of Defence has engaged a wide variety of academic organisations, including the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and Chatham House. I have also spoken on a number of occasions at these institutes on the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), as have my officials and senior members of the armed services. This engagement will continue into the SDSR implementation stage.

Trident

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the likely savings accruing to his Department's research and development budget for the new generation of Trident missiles of postponing the programme for those missiles by one year.

Liam Fox: The Trident D5 missile is expected to remain in-service until the 2040s. While there is some associated life extension work to allow that length of service, as the 2006 White Paper "The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent" (Cm 6694) made clear
	"decisions on whether we wish to acquire a successor to the life-extended D5 missile and what form any successor might take are unlikely to be necessary until the 2020s".
	There is therefore no planned research and development spend on a new generation of ballistic missile at this point.

Trident

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of extending the service life of a Vanguard Class submarine by  (a) one year and  (b) each of the subsequent four years after its original decommissioning date.

Liam Fox: As the 2006 White Paper "The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent" (Cm 6994) made clear, we will extend the life of the Vanguard Class beyond its original decommissioning date by five years to deliver a service life of 30 years. To achieve that five year extension will require three additional Long Overhaul Periods (LOPs). Planning is at an early stage but initial estimates suggest this will cost around £1.3 billion between 2014 and 2024.

Trident

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to publish the Initial Gate Business Case for the Trident successor programme once it has been approved; and whether he will publish a summary of the expected costs of the successor programme following such approval.

Liam Fox: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark) on 12 July 2010,  Official Report, column 447W.

Trident

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last formal design review of Trident nuclear warhead took place; and when the next such review is expected to take place.

Liam Fox: The most recent formal Trident nuclear warhead design review was undertaken in 2006. The date of the next such review has yet to be decided.

Trident

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Initial Gate for the Trident successor programme to be approved by  (a) the Investment Approvals Board and  (b) his Department.

Liam Fox: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 July 2010,  Official Report, column 447W, to the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark).

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Bible: Anniversaries

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department plans to mark the 400th anniversary of the first publication of the King James Bible in 2011.

Edward Vaizey: The Department is not planning to mark this anniversary. However, the British Library plans to highlight the linguistic contribution of the King James Bible in its exhibition on the English language, 'Evolving English', scheduled for November 2010 to April 2011 in London. It plans to feature a first edition from 1611 as a star exhibit.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on steps to protect the interests of smaller commercial radio stations during digital switchover.

Edward Vaizey: Government recognise the importance of local commercial radio stations to the communities they serve and have committed to reserving part of the FM spectrum as a platform for local and community radio stations, for as long as it is needed.
	In addition the vast majority of digital receivers already receive FM and Government will work to ensure all future digital sets incorporate FM.

Digital Economy Act 2010

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of OFCOM's performance in discharging its duties under the Digital Economy Act 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: I have been asked to reply 
	in my capacity as a Minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	This Department is in regular contact with Ofcom about its work on developing the Code of Practice known as "The Online Copyright Infringement Initial Obligations Code". The making of the code by order requires the consent of the Secretary of State and the code will be laid before Parliament, before coming into force. Under section 126D (2) (b) of the Communications Act 2003 Ofcom has been notified that the code must be made by 31 March 2011. I have every expectation that Ofcom will be able to meet that deadline.

Digital Economy Act 2010

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will publish the data used by his Department to inform its decisions on the apportionment of costs for the implementation of the notice sending regime under the Digital Economy Act 2010.

Edward Vaizey: I have been asked to reply 
	in my capacity as a Minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The Department has consulted extensively on the policy underpinning the file-sharing provisions in the Digital Economy Act. Decisions on the apportionment of costs were informed by the data about costs supplied to this Department as a result of those consultations and a specific consultation on the proposals for cost sharing.
	The first consultation on unlawful P2P and the responses can be found at:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100216092443/http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page47141.html
	The second consultation on the DEA proposals and the responses can be found at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/Consultations/illicit-p2p-file-sharing?cat=closedwithresponse
	The consultation on cost sharing can be found at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/Consultations/online-infringement-of-copyright?cat=closedwithresponse

EU Law

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he made of the cost to his Department and its non-departmental public bodies of compliance with  (a) domestic,  (b) European and (c) other international human rights requirements in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: Compliance with the requirements of human rights instruments whether domestic, European or international is part of the mainstream activity of the Department, and, where appropriate, its arm's length bodies.
	We are unable to disaggregate the cost of human rights work without incurring disproportionate cost.

EU Law

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will estimate the cost to his Department and its non-departmental public bodies of implementing and monitoring compliance with legislation transposing EU requirements in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: Compliance with EU requirements is part of the mainstream activity of the Department, and, where appropriate, its arm's length bodies.
	There are however no records of the costs to the Department in implementing and monitoring compliance with EU requirements. As such no reasonable estimate can be made, save at disproportionate cost.

Film

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what consideration he has given to the merits of introducing a UK film quota.

Edward Vaizey: At a recent roundtable with various organisations involved in the film industry, which discussed how best to strengthen its sustainability, a number of those present commented on the pivotal role played by distribution in the film value chain. This is something we will explore further with the industry in the coming months. Consideration will inevitably be given to all the distribution options available at that stage.

Newspaper Press

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what meetings Ministers in his Department have had with  (a) Rebekah Brooks,  (b) James Murdoch and  (c) representatives of News International since 6 September 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: Since 6 September 2010, Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have not formally met with Rebekah Brooks, James Murdoch or other representatives of News International Ltd.

Olympic Games 2012: Business

Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent estimate he has made of the average cost to a small business of compliance with the bidding process for contracts related to the London 2012 Olympic Games set out on the Business Link Olympics website.

Mark Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
	This Department has made no such assessment.
	The free "CompeteFor" service enables all businesses to compete for many contract opportunities linked to the London 2012 games. However, the actual cost of bidding for such contracts depends on the requirements of the buyer, which may vary, depending on the type of product or service being procured. Business Link advice is available to help bidders.

TRANSPORT

Aviation: Carbon Emissions

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress he has made in securing agreement at global level on reducing aviation emissions.

Theresa Villiers: At the 37th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which took place between 28 September and 8 October, a climate change resolution was adopted which agreed the following:
	A collective, global aspirational goal of carbon neutral growth from 2020 for international aviation in addition to a 2% per year fuel efficiency improvement;
	15 guiding principles for the design and implementation of market-based measures for international aviation;
	Work to develop a framework for market-based measures;
	Exemptions from certain activities for small emitters;
	Provisions on assistance for developing states.
	While this agreement represents a significant step forward internationally, the UK, along with 43 other European states, placed a collective reservation on those elements of the resolution where we believed more ambition is required and where the text could potentially compromise the effective introduction of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2012. A number of other states also placed reservations on this resolution for different reasons.
	This is the first global sectoral emissions target but the UK remains committed to pressing for more ambitious international action on tackling the climate change impacts of aviation and in the meantime we will continue with preparations to include aviation in the EU ETS.

Aviation: Insolvency

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with Air Travel Organisers' Licensing on reform of its financial protection scheme;
	(2)  if he will bring forward proposals to guard against future failures of tour operators and airlines.

Theresa Villiers: We are taking the need to update the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) financial protection scheme very seriously, and are working on what can be done to ensure that it remains relevant to today's travel market. The Department for Transport is having ongoing discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regarding possible options for reforming ATOL and we hope to be able to make an announcement soon.
	The finances of UK airlines are regularly monitored by the CAA as a condition of the operating licences issued by the authority, which should reduce the risk of failure. I understand that the European Commission is considering the options for airline insolvency protection across the EU.

Driving Offences: Visits Abroad

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorists had their driving licence endorsed with points for offences committed while overseas in each of the last five years.

Michael Penning: There is no mutual recognition of penalty points between Great Britain and other countries, therefore the answer is none.

Employment: Legislation

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what employment legislation his Department is responsible; and what progress his Department has made on the Government's review of employment law.

Norman Baker: Department for Transport officials are collating information on all employment law that affects the transport sector. This work has had to follow more immediate priorities in the reducing regulation agenda and will be developed in conjunction with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Motor Vehicles: Registration

Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to ensure that drivers with foreign number plates are  (a) complying with the requirement to register their vehicle properly and  (b) if not, if he intends to ensure that this is enforced.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport has operated a strategy of education, warning and direct enforcement action to help tackle non-compliant unlicensed foreign vehicles.
	The approach has included presentations to community leaders, articles in the media and the issue of information leaflets. It also involves warning notices being placed on vehicle's windscreens.
	If there is evidence that a foreign vehicle is in breach of the rules, it can be clamped and impounded.

Railways: Finance

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has made an estimate of the expenditure by each train operating company on  (a) stations and  (b) ticketing systems in the last 10 years.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 20 October 2010
	 Ministers have not made an estimate of the expenditure by each train operating company on either stations or ticketing systems in the last 10 years.

Roads: Accidents

Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic  (a) accidents,  (b) fatalities,  (c) accidents involving motorcyclists,  (d) fatalities involving motorcyclists,  (e) accidents involving cyclists and  (f) fatalities involving cyclists there were in (i) Norfolk and (ii) Norwich South constituency in each of the last five years.

Michael Penning: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Reported personal injury road accidents and fatalities, accidents involving motorcyclists and pedal cyclists and fatalities in these accidents: Norfolk local authority and Norwich South constituency( 1) : 2005-09 
			   Year of accident 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			  Norfolk  
			 All accidents 2,653 2,354 2,411 2,074 1,962 
			 All fatalities 65 66 56 38 50 
			 Accidents involving motorcyclists 386 385 386 351 310 
			 Fatalities in accidents involving motorcyclists(2) 8 10 16 14 10 
			 Accidents involving pedal cyclists 245 211 233 216 233 
			 Fatalities in accidents involving pedal cyclists(2) 6 5 2 1 1 
			   
			  Norwich South(1)  
			 All accidents 352 285 306 255 256 
			 All fatalities 1 2 2 0 1 
			 Accidents involving motorcyclists 69 50 55 43 43 
			 Fatalities in accidents involving motorcyclists(2) 0 1 1 0 0 
			 Accidents involving pedal cyclists 83 65 60 58 73 
			 Fatalities in accidents involving pedal cyclists(2) 0 0 1 0 0 
			 (1) Based on 2010 constituency boundary. (2) Includes fatalities to other road users, not just the road user type specified.

Transport: Finance

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he made of transport spending per head in  (a) England,  (b) the UK,  (c) Yorkshire and the Humber,  (d) London,  (e) the North West,  (f) the West Midlands and  (g) the North East in 2008-09.

Norman Baker: The HM Treasury annual publication Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) details identifiable transport expenditure per head for 2008-09 as follows:
	 (a) England: £314;
	 (b) the UK £334;
	 (c) Yorkshire and the Humber £248;
	 (d) London £641;
	 (e) the North West £287;
	 (f) the West Midlands £259; and
	 (g) the North East £234.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Armed Forces: Children

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions he has raised the issue of child soldiering with his counterparts in those countries where the practice is prevalent since his appointment.

Henry Bellingham: In his speech on 'Britain's Values in a networked world' on 15 September 2010, my right hon. friend the Foreign Secretary said:
	"Our starting point for engagement on human rights with all countries will be based on what is practical, realistic and achievable, although we will always be ready to speak out as a matter of principle."
	Although my right hon. friend the Foreign Secretary has not yet had occasion to raise the issue of child soldiering in bilateral contacts since his appointment, our ambassadors overseas do so as a matter of course with relevant interlocutors. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also maintains regular contacts with the Office of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict, and used the UN Open debate on 16 June and the 15th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 13 September 2010 to press for further action by serious offenders. We will continue to call for protection of children in armed conflict, and encourage co-operation of armed groups and national governments with the United Nations in particular.

Nagorno-Karabakh

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to seek to secure progress in respect of the political situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

David Lidington: I have recently encouraged both Azerbaijan and Armenia to work with the Minsk Group towards a durable peaceful settlement, and to avoid unhelpful exchanges of rhetoric. I spoke to the Armenian Foreign Minister, Edward Nalbandian, on 18 October, and met President Aliyev, Foreign Minister Mammadyarov and other key figures during my visit to Azerbaijan on 20 and 21 October and delivered these messages, reiterating the UK's support for the Minsk Group process.

Transcaucasus: British Nationals Abroad

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made a recent estimate of the number of British nationals resident in  (a) Armenia,  (b) Azerbaijan and  (c) Georgia.

David Lidington: The most recent estimates from our embassies in the South Caucasus are that there are the following numbers of British residents:  (a) around 50 in Armenia,  (b) around 2,000 in Azerbaijan, and  (c) around 200 in Georgia.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his counterparts in southern African countries the implications for the stability of the region of the announcement by President Mugabe of his intention to end the coalition government in Zimbabwe.

Henry Bellingham: We discuss the situation in Zimbabwe regularly with our interlocutors at all levels in the southern African region, including its regional implications. We will continue to do so.
	Despite President Mugabe's recent announcements, the Inclusive Government remains in place with no date set for elections. In his statement of 7 October Prime Minister Tsvangirai reaffirmed his commitment to the Inclusive Government, which continues to offer the only credible means of transforming Zimbabwe and delivering basic services to its people.
	We will continue to support President Zuma and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in their efforts to facilitate discussion between the parties in Zimbabwe and to press for the reforms outlined in the Global Political Agreement. Credible and properly conducted elections will be key to Zimbabwe's future. We, with our international partners, will continue to work closely with the region to try and achieve this.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Visits Abroad

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on overseas visits for senior officials in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) spent £108,421 on overseas visits for senior officials during the 12 months ending in June 2010.

Somalia: Overseas Aid

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had on steps to ensure the safety of UK-based aid workers in Somalia.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government take the safety of British aid workers in Somalia very seriously at all times. The Department for International Development (DFID) works closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other agencies to assess threats and vulnerabilities. The FCO currently advises against all travel to Somalia. Where UK-based aid organisations decide to work in Somalia and choose to discuss this with the UK Government, we make them aware of travel advice and the need for them to ensure that they have adequate security measures in place. The FCO would attempt to provide all possible consular assistance in Somalia, although it should be noted that there is no current HMG representation in the country.

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he has made an estimate of the change in the level of carbon dioxide emissions from his Department since May 2010; and what steps he plans to take to meet his Department's target of reducing such emissions by 10% by May 2011.

Francis Maude: Since May 2010, the Cabinet Office has reduced the carbon emissions from its estate by 9.1% compared to the same period last year. The Department is currently taking forward a series of projects aimed at further reducing its carbon footprint, and meeting the target. These include measures such as the installation of voltage optimisation kit, power factor correction and improving the insulation of buildings on the estate.

Departmental Visits Abroad

David Simpson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department spent on overseas visits for senior officials of  (a) his Department,  (b) the Prime Minister's Office,  (c) the Leader of the House's Office and  (d) the Deputy Prime Minister's office in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Francis Maude: Details of expenses incurred by the Cabinet Office's senior officials can be found on its website:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/about-cabinet-office/plans-performance/expenses.aspx

Honours

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he plans to review the honours and awards system with a view to changing eligibility criteria; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: The system of state honours and awards is kept under continuous review. At the request of the Prime Minister, the independent honours committees are now seeking to give particular weight to candidates who have been working in support of the Big Society.

Public Bodies

William Bain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010, Official Report, columns 505-06, what estimate he has made of the wind-up and reorganisation costs in respect of the closure of the non-departmental public bodies, non-ministerial departments and public corporations referred to in the statement in each of the next five years.

Francis Maude: All costs associated with public bodies reform, including redundancies, will be met from within each Department's budgetary settlement as determined by the spending review.

Public Bodies

William Bain: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, what estimate he has made of the net savings likely to accrue from closure of the non-departmental public bodies, non-ministerial departments and public corporations referred to in the statement in each of the next five years.

Francis Maude: The primary purpose of the quango review is to increase accountability; however, savings will also be generated through cutting down on duplication, executive pay, administrative overheads and communications. From closing RDAs we expect to save £270 million, and from BELTA we expect to save £80 million. However we have purposely not put an overall figure on this as it is down to individual Departments to develop their own implementation plans.

Public Sector Debt: Interest Charges

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the proportion of gross domestic product used to pay interest on the national debt  (a) between 1980 and 1990,  (b) between 2000 and 2006 and  (c) between 2006 and 2010.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated October 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking what estimate he has made of the proportion of gross domestic product used to pay interest on the national debt (a) between 1980 and 1990, (b) between 2000 and 2006 and (c) between 2006 and 2010.
	For the purposes of your question, we have interpreted 'interest on the national debt' to mean interest and dividends paid by all parts of the public sector, including local authorities and public corporations. Statistics for the 2010 calendar year are not yet available.
	Interest and dividends paid by the public sector, expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product, were as follows:
	a) 1980 to 1990 inclusive: 4.6%
	b) 2000 to 2006 inclusive: 2.2%
	c) 2006 to 2009 inclusive: 2.1%
	For information, I have attached a table, as an Excel spreadsheet, giving data for each of the calendar years 1980 to 2009 inclusive.
	
		
			  Public sector interest and dividends as a proportion of GDP 
			   I  II  II   
			   Public sector: Interest and dividends paid to private sector and rest of world  (£ million)  Gross Domestic Product at current prices (£ million)  Public sector: Interest and dividends paid as % of GDP  Period  Public sector: Interest and dividends paid as % of GDP 
			 1980 11,567 233,184 5.0   
			 1981 13,838 256,279 5.4   
			 1982 15,144 281,024 5.4   
			 1983 15,737 307,207 5.1   
			 1984 17,220 329,913 5.2   
			 1985 18,743 361,758 5.2   
			 1986 18,920 389,149 4.9   
			 1987 19,612 428,665 4.6   
			 1988 19,949 478,510 4.2   
			 1989 20,850 525,274 4.0   
			   
			 1990 20,720 570,283 3.6 1980 to 1990 4.6 
			 1991 18,523 598,664 3.1   
			 1992 18,691 622,080 3.0   
			 1993 19,896 654,196 3.0   
			 1994 22,813 692,987 3.3   
			 1995 26,054 733,266 3.6   
			 1996 27,476 781,726 3.5   
			 1997 29,163 830,094 3.5   
			 1998 29,930 879,102 3.4   
			 1999 26,136 928,730 2.8   
			 2000 26,200 976,533 2.7   
			 2001 23,722 1,021,828 2.3   
			 2002 21,576 1,075,564 2.0   
			 2003 22,836 1,139,746 2.0   
			 2004 23,892 1,202,956 2.0   
			 2005 26,513 1,254,058 2.1   
			   
			 2006 27,774 1,328,363 2.1 2000 to 2006 2.2 
			 2007 31,774 1,404,845 2.3   
			 2008 32,943 1,445,580 2.3   
			   
			 2009 27,271 1,392,634 2.0 2006 to 2009 2.1 
			 2010 - - -  -

Voluntary Organisations

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what research his Department has undertaken on the effects of public spending reductions on demand for services provided by the voluntary sector.

Nick Hurd: The Government recognise this is a particularly challenging time for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector and are working closely with partners in the sector, across Government, and at the Third Sector Research Centre to understand and mitigate the impact of public spending reductions on the sector. It is currently too early to assess the impact of these reductions on demand for voluntary sector services; however, recent research has demonstrated the increasing demand for services as a result of the recession, in conjunction with a more difficult funding situation.
	The Government remain committed to ensuring the sector can play a key role in building a stronger civil society and are working to open up a range of opportunities for the sector. This includes a £100 million fund to support the sector in the transition to delivering public services. We are also working to open up new sources of funding through the Big Society Bank. Throughout this the Government are dedicated to limiting the impact of spending reductions on the sector and are working with local partners and the sector to share best practice in reducing spending.

TREASURY

Departmental Internet

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 14 September 2010,  Official Report, column 969W, what assessment he has made of the merits of moderating submissions to his Department's Spending Challenge website before they are posted to that site.

Danny Alexander: The Government received over 100,000 suggestions through the Spending Challenge website, including over 45,000 from members of the public.
	We were clear that offensive and inappropriate ideas were not welcome and, initially, a team of moderators pro-actively reviewed ideas post-publication to ensure compliance with our moderation policy. In response to a small number of malicious attacks on the website, the Government took steps to disable interactive features and pre-moderate ideas submitted prior to publication.

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many interns his Department has engaged in the last 12 months; and how many were  (a) unpaid,  (b) remunerated with expenses only and  (c) paid a salary.

Justine Greening: In the past 12 months HM Treasury has engaged 42 paid student placements, all of which were paid above the national minimum wage.
	There is no central record of unpaid placements which are occasionally arranged on an ad-hoc basis.

EC Budget

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had at EU level on the orientation of priorities for the reform of the EU budget in the period 2014-20; and if he will make a statement.

Justine Greening: The Government engage regularly and actively on EU reform issues with other EU member states and with our EU partners at all levels. Discussion of the EU budget for the post-2013 period began just days ago with the publication of the European Commission's Budget Review document.
	We are keen to engage in a thorough debate around reform of the EU budget. We will highlight in our discussions with our European partners that the Government aim first and foremost to reduce the overall level of EU spending, in line with the tough budgetary decisions that member states are taking domestically. We will also continue to press the case for re-prioritisation of EU-level spending, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness and value-added of EU budget expenditure within a smaller envelope.

EU Budget

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of  (a) the European Commission's recent proposals for reforms of the EU budget and  (b) the likely effect of such proposals on the future of the UK budgetary rebate.

Justine Greening: We welcome the Commission's focus on the need for reform of the budget to support the EU's priorities-in particular economic growth. But the Review does not go anywhere near far enough on recognising the economic and fiscal context. We need to see a much stronger focus on prioritisation and where savings can be made. The UK will not support a new EU tax, and such proposals are a distraction from the key issues of how to reduce spending and best support the economy. The Prime Minister also made clear that we will not support any increase to the EU budget in the next Financial Perspective.
	The document made no specific proposals on the UK abatement. The Government are committed to preserving the UK abatement.

Income Tax: Gateshead

Ian Mearns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people in Gateshead borough  (a) who will pay no income tax as a result of the increase in personal allowance from April 2011 and  (b) who were in employment but below the income tax threshold in each of the last three years.

Justine Greening: The personal allowance for under 65s will be increased by £1,000 in April 2011, with the gains limited to basic rate taxpayers. The Government have estimated that the 880,000 lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether.
	However, the information requested is not available at district level due to small survey sample sizes at this level of geography, and because the information is based on 2007-08 survey data which would not be reliable for this purpose.
	Available information on incomes and tax by district based on the latest available Survey of Personal Incomes (2007-08) can be found in Table 3.14 'Income and tax by borough and district or unitary authority':
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu.htm
	Please take into account the confidence intervals in table 3.14a 'Income and tax by borough and district or unitary authority, Confidence Intervals'.
	Estimates of numbers of employed persons earning below the income tax threshold are not available from HM Revenue and Customs data sources as these are fully representative of taxpayers only. Estimates using Office for National Statistics surveys would not be reliable due to small sample sizes associated with the specific information requested.

Public Finance

Greg Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on his plans to publish details of all new Government spending over £25,000 from November 2010.

Danny Alexander: All Departments are on course to meet the new publication requirements. These requirements are to publish expenditure over £25,000 for April to September by the end of October 2010, and then to publish this information on a monthly basis from November 2010 onwards. A small number of Departments have already published their datasets ahead of the end October deadline.

Shares

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has assessed the effects of different classes of shares with differential voting rights on the long-term profitability of public limited companies.

Edward Davey: I have been asked to reply.
	On 22 September 2010 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills announced his intention to conduct a comprehensive review into corporate governance and economic short-termism.
	This review will be published shortly and we will consult on this issue.

VAT: Royal Mail

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the tax revenue foregone in respect of the exemption from value added tax of Royal Mail's business mail services in each year since 2005-06.

Justine Greening: Figures for the cost of the general postal services exemption are published on HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/tablel-5.xls
	HMRC does not provide figures for specific business activities as this would breach taxpayer confidentiality.

HEALTH

Advisory Group for National Specialised Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to announce the future arrangements for  (a) national specialist commissioning and  (b) the functions and remit of the new Advisory Group for National Specialised Services.

Simon Burns: Our White Paper "Equity and Excellence-Liberating the NHS" published on 12 July includes our future intentions for the commissioning of specialised services. It proposes that specialised services should in the future be commissioned by the National Health Service Commissioning Board.
	The Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS) was established following the consultation "Strengthening National Commissioning". The results of the consultation were announced in March 2010. The role of AGNSS is to advise on:
	which services and technologies should be nationally commissioned;
	which centres should provide them;
	the annual budget for nationally commissioned services and technologies; and
	the high level strategy for nationally commissioned services and technologies.
	AGNSS is an independent stakeholder advisory group. Further details are available at:
	www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/info/agnss

Cancer: Children

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the average life expectancy of a child with osteosarcoma who is being treated with conventional treatments.

Paul Burstow: We know that the prognosis for children diagnosed with osteosarcoma is significantly better when the cancer is found early and has not spread from the bone to other parts of the body. The national health service is expected to ensure that patients with cancer are treated by the right person, with the appropriate expertise, within the agreed waiting times standards.
	This Government are committed to improving outcomes for all cancer patients. We have asked National Cancer Director, Professor Sir Mike Richards, to lead a review of the Cancer Reform Strategy (CRS) to align this with proposals in the White Paper to create an NHS that is more responsive to patients' needs. The review will set the direction for cancer services up till 2015, taking account of progress since the CRS was published in December 2007; and show how outcomes can be improved for all cancer patients.
	It is not possible to generate an estimate of life expectancy for children undergoing treatment for osteosarcoma. This is because survival data are not available for people below 15 years of age.

Cancer: Drugs

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will reverse the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's decision on the funding of life-extending drugs for cancer patients; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: We have no plans to do so. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is an independent body. Its decisions are based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and its guidance is developed free from political interference.
	An extra £50 million has already been made available in the current financial year to fund additional national health service cancer drugs in England. Building on this, the Cancer Drugs Fund will, from April 2011, provide cancer patients in England with greater access to the clinically effective drugs their doctors think will help extend or improve their quality of life.
	Following publication of the spending review, we will publish our consultation on arrangements for the Cancer Drugs Fund very soon. This consultation will set out the available funding for the next three years, along with detail on how we anticipate the fund will operate.

Circumcision

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the likely effects on health of circumcision of male infants.

Paul Burstow: The Department has made no recent assessments of the likely effects on health of circumcision of male infants.

Circumcision

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to GPs and health care professionals on the circumcision of male infants.

Paul Burstow: The Department has not published guidance on male circumcision. General guidance is that doctors should communicate treatment options, outcomes and risks with the patient and gain consent for any procedure. Doctors should make every effort to discuss with parents what is in the best interests of the child. The welfare of infants must be paramount, whatever the reason for undertaking the procedure. Any medical procedure must be undertaken in hygienic conditions, with appropriate pain relief and aftercare.

Dementia: Drugs

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on its review of dementia drugs.

Paul Burstow: We have had no such discussions with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
	NICE is currently carrying out a routine review of its technology appraisal guidance on the use of donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
	NICE is an independent body. Its guidance is based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and is developed free from political interference.

Dental Services

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the role of local dental committees will be in the restructured NHS referred to in his Department's White Paper, "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS".

Simon Burns: Local dental committees would continue to exist and it is anticipated they would fulfil a similar statutory role under the proposals set out in the White Paper, "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS". Further details will be available at the introduction of the health Bill into Parliament, which will follow later this year.

Departmental Sick Leave

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for how many days on average his Department's staff in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in 2009-10.

Simon Burns: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 
			  Grade  Average working days lost 
			 Administrative officer 9.2 
			 Executive officer 6.9 
			 Higher executive officer 5.7 
			 Senior executive officer 4.0 
			 Grade 7 3.7 
			 Grade 6 2.7 
			 SCS 1.6 
			 Overall 4.5

Diseases: EU Action

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to ensure compliance with the Council Recommendation on European Action in the field of rare diseases adopted on 8 June 2009.

Simon Burns: Officials in the Department have held meetings with the devolved Administrations and also met with several key stakeholders as part of the development of a plan for rare diseases. The plan will be ready by 2013 in line with the council recommendation.

Epilepsy

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what epilepsy awareness training is provided to paramedics working in the National Health Service.

Simon Burns: The Department expects the local national health service to have arrangements in place for managing the treatment of all types of seizures, including epilepsy. Epilepsy awareness is a focus throughout ambulance training levels, from those administering basic first aid through to paramedics and staff are expected to act in line with specific clinical guidelines such as those set out in the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee's clinical practice guidelines.
	A copy of the clinical guidelines is available on the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee's website at:
	www.jrcalc.org.uk/guidelines.html

General Practitioners: Finance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 15 September 2010,  Official Report, columns 1110-11W, on general practitioners: finance, how the formula for the allocation of funding by the NHS Commissioning Board to GP consortiums will take account of levels of need.

Simon Burns: This will be a matter for the NHS Commissioning Board. However, the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation will continue to advise the Secretary of State on the equitable distribution of national health service resources during the transition period.
	Currently, a weighted capitation formula, based on a programme of statistical and economics research, determines the target allocation for each primary care trust. The formula is made up of several components including an adjustment to reflect differences in the age and morbidity of the population and an adjustment to reflect other factors that affect the need for health care, including a number linked to deprivation such as the proportion of the local population with no qualifications and the numbers claiming pension credit.
	Further details about the future allocations process and the distribution of resources will be announced in due course.

General Practitioners: Wales

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on the effect of his proposed reforms to the duties of general practitioners on the terms and conditions of general practitioners in Wales.

Simon Burns: Departmental officials meet regularly with officials from the devolved Administrations, including in respect of primary medical care contractual arrangements. The most recent meetings were held on 27 and 28 September and included discussions on current and possible future changes to general practitioner contractual arrangements across the four United Kingdom countries.

Health Centres: North Yorkshire

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on external consultants for the building of new health centres in Bentham and Settle in 2009-10.

Simon Burns: The Department did not spend any money on external consultants for the building of health centres in Bentham and Settle in 2009-10. North Yorkshire and York primary care trust, and the Yorkshire and the Humber Medical Deanery may have done so, but this information is not centrally available.

NHS

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he plans to put in place to ensure effective co-operation between the NHS Commissioning Board and local health and well-being boards.

Simon Burns: The consultation document, "Liberating the NHS: local democratic legitimacy in health", which has already been placed in the Library, set out how the NHS Commissioning Board might relate to proposed health and well-being boards.
	The Government intend to publish further details on its proposals later this year, following the consultation and engagement that has taken place over the summer.

NHS: Pensions

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the net cash requirement for the NHS pension scheme was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and whether any excess was paid into the Consolidated Fund as income in each year in which the requirement was negative.

Simon Burns: The information requested is only available in the form requested after 2002-03. The following table includes data from the most recent seven years on the net cash requirement for the NHS Pension Scheme as well as details of the actual cash paid to the Consolidated Fund.
	
		
			  £000 
			   Net cash requirement  Actual cash repaid to the consolidated fund in the financial year 
			 2009-10 0 1,964,081 
			 2008-09 0 2,063,404 
			 2007-08 0 2,257,971 
			 2006-07 0 2,994,770 
			 2005-06 0 2,068,614 
			 2004-05 0 1,942,371 
			 2003-04 25,000 1,874,969 
			 2002-03 45,750 293,574 
			  Source: Schedule 1 of the NHS Pension Scheme and NHS Compensation for Premature Retirement Scheme Resource Accounts

Organs: Donors

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the cost to the public purse was of payments to external communications agencies for the purpose of promoting organ donation and the organ donation register in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10;
	(2)  how much his Department spent on organ donation communication campaigning in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10.

Anne Milton: A public awareness campaign on organ donation was a recommendation of the Organ Donation Taskforce (ODTF) first report "Organs for Transplants" published in January 2008. The Department of Health provided specific funding to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to take this recommendation forward.
	The amounts paid to external communication agencies for the purpose of promoting organ donation and the organ donation register for 2008-09 and 2009-10 are set out in table 1.
	The total amount of money spent by NHSBT on the organ donation communication campaign in 2008-09 and 2009-10 is set out in table 2. The figures in table 2 are for total spend and therefore include the figures set out in table 1. The campaign, launched in November 2009, included television, radio, press, digital advertising, roadshows in major cities and targeted messages to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities as well as campaign evaluation.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			   Type of agency  Amount ex VAT (£)  Detail 
			 2008-09 Communications planning 4,250.00 Organ donation taskforce scoping 
			 
			 2009-10 Advertising 433,506.00 Media commission and press production costs 
			  Communications planning 40,513.00 Media commission 
			  Public relations 278,121.00 Agency fees 
			  Agency specialising in targeting black and minority ethnic groups 25,000.00 Agency fees 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2 
			  £ 
			  Costs to promote organ donation  2008-09  2009-10 
			 Total 5,160.00 5,634,531.76 
			  Note: Costs exclude VAT.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department has put in place to prevent epidemics of sexually-transmitted diseases; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: There are a range of measures in place to control the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevent epidemics.
	These include providing people with information about risks and safer sex and through provision of open access confidential genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics. Quick access to GUM services is important to diagnose and reduce the spread of infections. In August 2010, 99.6% of people were offered an appointment to be seen within 48 hours at a GUM clinic. This means that more people are being tested early and having infections detected, preventing onward transmission.
	The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) aims to control the most prevalent STI, Chlamydia, through opportunistic screening of asymptomatic infections and early detection and treatment, therefore preventing complications and reducing onward transmission. Since the launch of the NCSP, over 3.6 million young people have been tested and over 266,000 have tested positive.
	The Health Protection Agency has in place comprehensive surveillance systems that can detect outbreaks as well as monitor trends and inform prevention programmes. The agency also has a lead role locally, regionally and nationally in coordinating investigations and respond to and control of outbreaks/epidemics of STIs such as infectious syphilis and lymphogranuloma venereum.
	We know that more needs to be done to ensure all people regardless of age get the right information and advice at the right time to make responsible choices, to increase awareness of risks, to prevent infection, and to access screening and treatment, and we are considering how we can tackle these issues. Later this year we will publish the Public Health White Paper which will set out a cross-government strategy for public health and plans for the new Public Health Service.

Speech and Language Disorders

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether local authorities administer funding provided by his Department for speech and language services on his Department's behalf; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 18 October 2010,  Official Report, column 580W.

JUSTICE

Departmental Visits Abroad

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on overseas visits for senior officials in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice's accounting systems do not differentiate between expenditure by members of the senior civil service and junior officials. It would incur disproportionate costs to examine and investigate every transaction to see which grade of staff it related to.

Medway Secure Training Centre: Restraint Techniques

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 11 October 2010,  Official Report, column 144W, on the Medway Secure Training Centre: restraint techniques, how many  (a) minor and  (b) serious injuries there were in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09.

Crispin Blunt: All secure establishments submit monthly data returns to the Youth Justice Board (YJB) on the number of injuries from restrictive physical interventions (RPI). Data on injuries are reported against common definitions of minor injury requiring medical treatment (which includes cuts, scratches and grazes) and serious injury requiring hospital treatment (which includes fractures and loss of consciousness).
	Data have been collected on the injuries arising from RPI from secure establishments since April 2007 and these figures have been provided in the table for Medway Secure Training Centre.
	
		
			   Minor injury requiring treatment  Serious injury requiring hospital treatment 
			 2007-08 67 0 
			 2008-09 38 0 
		
	
	This information has been provided by the YJB. These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.

Offenders: Alcoholic Drinks

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many weeks on average elapsed between the registration of an offender in an offender behaviour programme on  (a) alcohol or substance abuse and  (b) domestic violence and the start of the programme in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: Waiting times for programmes are managed locally by each probation trust and prison. This information is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by obtaining information held on offender files or on local data systems, validating it, and then collating it in a common format in order to provide a response.

Offenders: Incentives and Earned Privilege Scheme

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many offenders  (a) were on the basic level of the incentives and earned privilege scheme and  (b) have been placed on that level of the scheme following a finding of guilt at adjudication in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many offenders in each prison establishment were on each level of the incentives and earned privilege scheme on the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  for what types of offence against prison rules an offender may be placed on the basic level of the incentives and earned privilege scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: At the end of September 2010, the total number of prisoners on the basic level of the incentives and earned privileges scheme was 1,386. The adjudication process and the incentives and earned privileges scheme are two separate schemes and therefore operate independently of each other. No prisoner can be downgraded simply by an adjudication as this is not one of the punishments available to adjudicators. However, an adjudication could be part of a pattern of behaviour leading to a downgrade and punishments also include forfeiture of any of the privileges available under the incentives and earned privileges scheme. Forfeiture can be for up to 42 days for adult prisoners and 21 days for young offenders.
	Data obtained at the end of September 2010 for the three different levels of the incentives and earned privileges scheme at each prison establishment are as follows:
	
		
			  Prison  Basic  Standard  Enhanced 
			 Acklington 7 459 414 
			 Albany 5 243 316 
			 Altcourse 49 682 497 
			 Ashfield 55 199 51 
			 Ashwell 0 38 175 
			 Askham Grange 0 25 101 
			 Aylesbury 19 250 170 
			 Bedford 6 387 94 
			 Belmarsh 22 825 121 
			 Birmingham 4 1,068 357 
			 Blantyre House 0 0 121 
			 Blundeston 3 235 280 
			 Brinsford 9 342 173 
			 Bristol 7 442 139 
			 Brixton 7 612 140 
			 Bronzefield 4 361 128 
			 Buckley Hall 7 115 254 
			 Bullingdon 15 779 260 
			 Bullwood Hall 0 120 107 
			 Bure 4 227 282 
			 Camp Hill 7 222 358 
			 Canterbury 1 173 130 
			 Cardiff 6 627 184 
			 Castington 0 59 23 
			 Channings Wood 6 301 415 
			 Chelmsford 21 491 171 
			 Coldingley 4 168 334 
			 Cookham Wood 18 85 31 
			 Dartmoor 2 221 285 
			 Deerbolt 12 394 86 
			 Doncaster 23 865 212 
			 Dorchester 1 181 39 
			 Dovegate 8 585 557 
			 Downview 2 131 191 
			 Drake Hall 3 78 208 
			 Durham 8 706 206 
			 East Sutton Park 0 0 90 
			 Eastwood Park 4 208 107 
			 Edmunds Hill 6 207 166 
			 Elmley 15 830 329 
			 Erlestoke 2 88 277 
			 Everthorpe 15 262 402 
			 Exeter 9 413 95 
			 Featherstone 12 293 348 
			 Feltham 35 508 121 
			 Ford 0 158 380 
			 Forest Bank 29 942 376 
			 Foston Hall 7 130 101 
			 Frankland 33 319 466 
			 Full Sutton 10 196 373 
			 Garth 7 205 626 
			 Gartree 4 97 569 
			 Glen Parva 42 534 145 
			 Gloucester 2 222 86 
			 Grendon 0 23 503 
			 Guys Marsh 5 262 239 
			 Haverigg 20 174 441 
			 Hewell 6 974 401 
			 High Down 11 815 237 
			 Highpoint 22 402 516 
			 Hindley 20 213 79 
			 Hollesley Bay 2 55 298 
			 Holloway 5 342 111 
			 Holme House 6 798 173 
			 Hull 25 601 352 
			 Kennet 3 96 230 
			 Kingston 0 14 184 
			 Kirkham 0 70 507 
			 Kirklevington 0 231 38 
			 Lancaster 1 120 118 
			 Lancaster Farms 14 325 151 
			 Latchmere House 0 0 202 
			 Leeds 3 791 239 
			 Leicester 10 225 121 
			 Lewes 3 340 118 
			 Leyhill 0 97 415 
			 Lincoln 7 412 182 
			 Lindholme 14 372 602 
			 Littlehey 16 666 407 
			 Liverpool 8 970 246 
			 Long Lartin 7 302 305 
			 Low Newton 5 149 62 
			 Lowdham Grange 15 123 787 
			 Maidstone 0 207 386 
			 Manchester 14 816 342 
			 Moorland-closed 14 483 281 
			 Moorland-open 0 35 213 
			 Morton Hall 1 198 107 
			 Mount 14 264 483 
			 New Hall 18 227 126 
			 North Sea Camp 2 17 293 
			 Northallerton 6 145 42 
			 Norwich 14 576 140 
			 Nottingham 17 835 193 
			 Onley 20 234 437 
			 Parc 20 682 415 
			 Parkhurst 13 171 334 
			 Pentonville 23 908 277 
			 Peterborough-female 5 246 83 
			 Peterborough-male 37 461 109 
			 Portland 12 277 172 
			 Preston 13 581 174 
			 Ranby 13 466 576 
			 Reading 0 132 82 
			 Risley 30 500 557 
			 Rochester 17 444 215 
			 Rye Hill 8 148 442 
			 Send 3 67 204 
			 Shepton Mallet 0 7 178 
			 Shrewsbury 1 178 134 
			 Stafford 3 332 394 
			 Standford Hill 1 83 357 
			 Stocken 15 419 399 
			 Stoke Heath 27 390 152 
			 Styal 5 304 111 
			 Sudbury 3 50 518 
			 Swaleside 26 309 750 
			 Swansea 3 315 106 
			 Swinfen Hall 14 252 354 
			 Thorn Cross 7 87 197 
			 Usk/Prescoed 0 99 329 
			 Verne 10 171 420 
			 Wakefield 21 392 327 
			 Wandsworth 16 1,252 346 
			 Warren Hill 19 94 62 
			 Wayland 19 499 478 
			 Wealstun 6 331 402 
			 Wellingborough 7 229 279 
			 Werrington 16 64 29 
			 Wetherby 12 220 90 
			 Whatton 3 252 565 
			 Whitemoor 3 151 295 
			 Winchester 5 528 158 
			 Wolds 1 111 278 
			 Woodhill 17 610 170 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 3 1,064 191 
			 Wymott 4 632 519 
			 Total 1,386 46,815 36,202 
		
	
	Prisoners are placed on basic level where they have failed to meet local criteria for admission to standard and enhanced levels. The types of behaviour for which prisoners might, following an incentives and earned privileges scheme review, be placed on basic would include assault, bullying or intimidating behaviour, being in possession of unauthorised drugs or alcohol, non compliance with mandatory drug testing and theft.

Prisons: Racial Hatred

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department has taken to counter racism in establishments on the prison estate.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has overseen a sustained programme of work to tackle racism in prisons. The most recent published assessment is contained in "Race Review 2008", and is available from the House Library. The review, overseen by an independent advisory group and described as 'honest and rigorous' by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, concluded that good systems and processes are in place in prisons and that blatant forms of racism have been largely eradicated. However it also concluded that the experiences of black and minority ethnic prisoners and staff have not been transformed and that there remained evidence of differential treatment of black and minority ethnic prisoners. A further programme of work is set out in "Promoting Equality in Prisons and Probation: the NOMS Single Equality Scheme 2009-2012", also available in the Library, and progress on this will be reported in the 2009-10 annual equalities report which will be published later this year.

Probation Officers: Working Hours

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the average proportion of working hours spent by probation officers  (a) in contact with offenders and  (b) on administrative tasks in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: Delivery structures across probation areas vary as do the requirements of specific roles, and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) does not routinely report on the proportion of working time spent in face to face contact with offenders. In December 2008, NOMS undertook a snapshot survey over a one-week period, based on a small sample of probation officer (PO) and probation service officer (PSO) staff. It reported that across England and Wales 24% of PO/PSO time was spent in direct contact with offenders, 41% was involved in computer activity and 35% of time was spent on non-computer-dealing with correspondence, meetings, travel, etc.
	The reporting of the results against only three main headings means that much of the detail is open to interpretation. For example, it could reasonably be argued that time spent on computer activity involving the production of reports and assessments is work on individual cases. Even if only about three-quarters of this time were included as work on cases this gives a picture of more like 54% of time being spent on work with individual offenders.
	The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is taking a number of actions to increase the amount of contact time between probation staff and offenders. These include:
	allocating resources to the assessment and management of offenders according to the level of risk;
	as part of the Probation Trusts Programme all areas (including locally initiated mergers) have identified efficiencies through for example the reduction in management overheads, and development, of shared services, to the benefit of front-line staffing levels;
	a national programme of specifying probation work, and benchmarking performance, to support the effective deployment of front-line staff;
	identifying opportunities for reducing bureaucracy and other demands currently placed on front-line staff;
	expanding the use of video conferencing to reduce the time probation staff spend travelling to interview prisoners; and
	initiating the Offender Engagement Programme to evaluate and improve the quality of face to face work with offenders, its impact on re-offending, and identify and reduce any barriers to that work taking place.
	A pilot in Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust to enable the use of professional judgment in deciding how to work most effectively with each individual.
	Within the financial constraints placed on all public services NOMS is committed to ensuring that resources continue to be targeted on front-line work.

Probation Service: Offenders

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offenders have been held under supervision by probation service providers in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the total case load of offenders supervised by the probation service as at 31 December in each of the last five years.
	
		
			  Probation service case load, England and Wales, 2005-09 
			   Total 
			 2005 224,094 
			 2006 235,029 
			 2007 242,722 
			 2008 243,434 
			 2009 241,504 
			  Note: Includes those supervised on court orders as well as post-release supervision. 
		
	
	The data within the table are taken from table 1.2 of the publication "Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2009" and can be found at the website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Terrorism: Compensation

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of those seriously injured in the 7/7 attacks in London are still awaiting compensation; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: The vast majority of cases lodged with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority have been settled. It received 650 claims for compensation in the years following the London bombings, and is working to finalise five remaining cases. CICA has made interim payments in all the outstanding cases.

Women's Prisons

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the  (a) capacity and  (b) population of the women's prison estate was (i) on the most recent date for which figures are available and (ii) in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The following table shows the capacity and population of the women's prison estate as at (i) end of August 2010 (the most recent figures available) and (ii) end of August in each of the last five years.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	
		
			  Total operational capacity and population of the female prison estate, England, as at August of each year 
			   Operational capacity  Population 
			 2005 5,429 4,592 
			 2006 4,846 4,559 
			 2007 4,889 4,408 
			 2008 4,756 4,430 
			 2009 4,822 4,256 
			 2010 4,849 4,257 
			  Note: There are no female prisons in Wales.

Young Offenders: Reoffenders

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of young offenders re-offended within one year of being released from custody in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: The latest reoffending rate for young people (those aged between 10 and 17) released from custody in England and Wales in the first quarter of 2008 is 74.3%.
	Reoffending rates for young people are based on whether an offender has been convicted at court or received an out-of-court disposal for an offence in the year following release from custody.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Arts: Industry

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of  (a) the role of and  (b) the likely effect on the creative industries of proposals to rebalance the economy (i) in favour of industry and (ii) outside London.

Edward Vaizey: The creative industries have been an increasingly important part of the economy in recent years and we are committed to enabling the sector to maximise its future growth potential, across the whole of the UK in the coming years.

Better Regulation Executive

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the mandate of the Better Regulation Executive.

Mark Prisk: A key tenet of the Government's Coalition agreement is to move away from rules and regulations to changes people's behaviour to policy approaches that support and enable people to make better choices for themselves. And we have introduced an ambitious programme of regulatory reform to make that a reality in regulation making.
	There is no more appropriate part of Whitehall with more skills and experience in regulation policy than the Better Regulation Executive. It has extensive and deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and is firmly re-focussed on developing new policies to deliver the Government's objectives on regulation. I judge that BRE is appropriate to lead the Government effort.

Better Regulation Executive

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff work in the Better Regulation Executive.

Mark Prisk: As at 20 October there were 79 staff working in the Better Regulation Executive. Of those, eight were working for the Secretariat to the Regulatory Policy Committee and two were on maternity leave.

Better Regulation Executive

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff in the Better Regulation Executive have managed a small business of under 10 employees.

Mark Prisk: This information is not held centrally, however at least 10 staff in the Better Regulation Executive indicated that they had managed a small business with less than 10 staff when asked on 20 October 2010.

Better Regulation Executive

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what short-term measures the Better Regulation Executive has considered to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses.

Mark Prisk: The BRE is working with Departments to identify regulation which is overly burdensome, particularly on small businesses, and support policy makers in using non-regulatory approaches.
	We sought suggestions from SMEs and members of the public on regulations to repeal or amend through the 'Your Freedom' website and are currently working through the 2,500 responses. The BRE is also undertaking a series of regional visits, speaking to SMEs all over the country to further identify ways to improve the business environment.
	The Government introduced the 'One-in, One-out' rule last month. This means that no new regulations which impose costs on business or civil society organisations can be brought in without regulation of an equivalent value being removed. This is a significant step in stemming the flow of regulation and will focus Whitehall's attention on finding alternatives to regulation. The BRE will manage and support this cross-Government programme.
	This Department has also announced a series of measures to help SMEs, which include:
	Extended the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) by £200 million at June's Budget, benefiting around 2,000 extra small businesses. We have also announced two new capital funds for SMEs with growth potential, and will shortly respond to the recent Green Paper on the future of business finance.
	A rise in entrepreneurs' relief lifetime limit from £2 million to £5 million, and a reduction in small profits rate (small companies' rate) from 21% to 20%.
	Changes to national insurance contributions (NIC), raising the employers' threshold to increase the number of employees for whom employers pay no NICs by 650,000 and introducing a regional employer NIC holiday to encourage new businesses in selected regions to take on employees.

Better Regulation Executive

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff of the Better Regulation Executive work in other Government Departments.

Mark Prisk: There are currently no Better Regulation Executive staff working in other Government Departments. However, Better Regulation Executive staff are working in partnership with staff in better regulation units and policy staff in other Government Departments.

Better Regulation Executive

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost to the public purse of  (a) the Better Regulation Executive and  (b) the Better Regulation Strategy Group was in the last 12 months.

Mark Prisk: The cost to the public purse of the Better Regulation Executive in the financial year 2009-10 was £6.4 million. This figure includes the operating costs of the Regulatory Policy Committee Secretariat.
	The Better Regulation Strategy Group has not incurred any costs to the public purse to date.

Better Regulation Strategy Group

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the name is of each member to join the Better Regulation Strategy Group since his appointment.

Mark Prisk: One member has joined the Better Regulation Strategy Group (BRSG) since my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) was appointed. This member is Peter Schofield, director of HM Treasury's enterprise and growth unit. Mr Schofield was invited to join the BRSG on 5 October and accepted this invitation on 13 October.
	Other current members of the BRSG are listed as follows. These were all members of the group before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was appointed but have been confirmed as ongoing members of the BRSG since his appointment.
	John Cridland (deputy director-general, Confederation of British Industry)
	Robert Devereux (permanent secretary, Department for Transport)
	Julia Evans (chief executive, National Federation of Builders)
	Iain Ferguson (chair, Wilton Park)
	Dame Deirdre Hutton (chair, Civil Aviation Authority)
	Sir Philip Hampton (chair, board of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc)
	Scott Johnson (partner, WF Watt Contracts)
	Lucy Neville-Rolfe (executive director, corporate and legal affairs, Tesco)
	Philip Rycroft (chief executive, Better Regulation Executive)
	Sarah Veale (head of equality and employment rights department, Trade Union Congress)
	Kerrie Kelly, former director general of the Association of British Insurers (ABI), was a member of the strategy group until she stood down from her position at the ABI in July.
	Information on the Better Regulation Strategy Group, including minutes from previous meetings, is available via the following website;
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/better-regulation/better-regulation-executive/better-regulation-strategy-group

Better Regulation Strategy Group

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills  (a) how many and  (b) what proportion of members of the Better Regulation Strategy Group (i) manage a small business of fewer than 10 people and (ii) are based in the North of England.

Mark Prisk: Two members of the Better Regulation Strategy Group (BRSG) have confirmed that they manage a small business of fewer than 10 people. One member of the BRSG has confirmed that they are based in the North of England. A further one member has confirmed that they are based in Scotland. The BRSG has 12 members.

Business: Females

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made a recent estimate of the number of small and medium-sized enterprises run by women  (a) nationally and  (b) in the West Midlands.

Mark Prisk: The latest estimate of the number of small and medium-sized enterprises run by women was made in 2009, based on survey evidence and statistics published by BIS.
	BIS estimates that there are approximately 710,000 majority women-led small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK (15% of the UK SME population) and approximately 45,000 majority women-led small and medium-sized enterprises in the West Midlands (12% of the West Midlands SME population). This is based on data collected over the period 2005-08.
	This estimate will be updated in early 2011, following the publication of the BIS "Small Business Survey 2010".

Business: Higher Education

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if his Department will take steps to  (a) improve the quality of and  (b) increase provision for enterprise education in colleges and universities; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: Enterprise has a key role in achieving the Government's goals of social mobility and economic rebalancing, and the foundations for an enterprising society will be laid in our schools, colleges and universities. This Department has brought together a forum of entrepreneurs, educators and sector representatives to build a consensus on how best learning institutions might further improve and promote enterprise education. In collaboration with the National Enterprise Academy, the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship, the Association of Colleges and other enterprise education providers and intermediaries, we will be building on the forum's work to ensure the opportunities to develop enterprise and entrepreneurial skills, including those needed for self-employment, are supported and promoted throughout education.

Businesses: Finance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on access to finance for businesses.

Edward Davey: holding answer 21 October 2010
	I have had many discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding access to finance for business as part of our ongoing work in this area, and relating to the Green Paper on access to business finance that was published and consulted on collaboratively by our two Departments.

Community Interest Companies

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many community interest companies were started in  (a) Gateshead constituency,  (b) Tyne and Wear,  (c) the North East and  (d) England in each of the last five years.

Edward Davey: According to the national website for the regulator for community interest companies, the number of CIC registered companies is as follows:
	
		
			  Location  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  Total 
			  (a) Gateshead 0 3 4 6 3 2 18 
			  (b) Tyne and Wear 1 26 24 35 38 57 181 
			  (c) North East 1 34 42 59 72 91 299 
			  (d) England 46 840 506 712 1,123 1,185 4,412 
			  Source: Statistics from: http://www.cicregulator.gov.uk/ as at 21 October 2010.

Departmental Responsibilities

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the responsibilities of the Minister of State for Trade and Investment.

Mark Prisk: The new Minister of State for Trade and Investment's responsibilities are a matter for the Prime Minister.

Departmental Visits Abroad

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on overseas visits for senior officials in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Edward Davey: During the period October 2009 to September 2010, the Department spent £75,836 on overseas visits for senior officials (director generals and permanent secretary).

Higher Education: Gateshead

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many young people resident in Gateshead constituency entered  (a) higher education and  (b) university in each of the last 13 years.

David Willetts: The latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is shown in the following table. Changes made to constituency names and boundaries in 2010 will be initially applied to HESA data for the 2010/11 academic year. Data for these students will not be available until January 2011. Until then, data based on the old constituencies will continue to be provided. Therefore, this answer uses figures for Gateshead East and Washington West and Tyne Bridge constituencies.
	Comparable information on entrants to higher education courses at further education colleges is not available. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will be available in January 2011.
	
		
			  Young( 1)  undergraduate entrants from Gateshead East and Washington West  c onstituency and Tyne Bridge constituency( 2) 
			  UK Higher Education Institutions( 3)  -academic years 1996/97 to 2008/09 
			  Academic year  Gateshead East and Washington West  Tyne Bridge 
			 1996/97 270 115 
			 1997/98 305 140 
			 1998/99 310 180 
			 1999/2000 290 170 
			 2000/01 305 185 
			 2001/02 330 200 
			 2002/03 290 150 
			 2003/04 305 175 
			 2004/05 325 185 
			 2005/06 330 200 
			 2006/07 355 210 
			 2007/08 400 215 
			 2008/09 345 205 
			 (1) Covers entrants aged under 21. (2) Exclude entrants whose parliamentary constituency cannot be established due to missing or invalid postcode information. (3) Excludes the Open University due to inconsistencies in their coding of entrants across the time series.  Note: Figures are based on a snapshot as at 1 December and have been rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Internet Governance Forum

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which Government representatives attended the fifth annual Internet Governance Forum meeting; and what the outcome was of discussions on each item of the agenda of that meeting.

Edward Vaizey: The UK Government were represented at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Vilnius by Dr Sue Baxter, Deputy Director, Europe and International Competitiveness Unit, and one other BIS official with responsibility for internet governance policy.
	The overall theme of the Vilnius IGF was 'IGF 2010 -Developing the Future Together' with five main sessions which effectively formed the 'agenda' of the meeting:
	managing the internet's critical infrastructure;
	security, openness and privacy;
	access and diversity;
	development; and
	cloud computing.
	Preparatory discussions were undertaken in 113 workshops, best practice forums, dynamic coalition meetings and open forums. The Chairman's summary of the full range of issues discussed is accessible at:
	http://intgovforum.org/cms/2010/Chairman's.Summary.Expanded.pdf
	The IGF is not a negotiating forum so there are no formal outcomes as such. However, it is clear from the sustained level of support from stakeholders-over 1,450 attendees including representatives from over 90 governments, business experts, civil society representatives, academics, technical experts and parliamentarians, with an additional 600 participating remotely-that the IGF plays an important role in enabling stakeholders to exchange views and best practice on internet public policy.
	In particular, the UK Government showcased their policy approach on internet inclusion and an online child protection 'toolkit' developed for those Commonwealth members with little or no legal framework for criminalising access to and distribution of child abuse images.
	The UK also held confidential bilateral meetings with Brazil, China and the USA on internet public policy issues and the decision on the future of the IGF to be taken by the UN General Assembly in December.

Local Economic Partnerships

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the oral answer of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, column 487, on local economic partnerships, what the scope of the sub-regional White Paper will be; and whether it will include the role of local enterprise partnerships in relation to the management of the European regional development fund programme.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 21 October 2010
	 The sub-regional White Paper will set out the Government's approach to economic development following abolition of the regional development agencies, including the approach to management of the European regional development fund programme.

Local Economic Partnerships

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the oral answer of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, column 487, on local economic partnerships, what discussions  (a) ministers and  (b) officials in his Department have had with the Department for Communities and Local Government on the content of the sub-regional White Paper.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 21 October 2010
	All Departments and Ministers with an interest in the sub-regional White Paper, including the Department for Communities and Local Government, have been involved in discussions regarding its content.

Local Economic Partnerships

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the oral answer of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, column 487, on local economic partnerships, when he expects to publish the sub-regional White Paper.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 21 October 2010
	We expect the sub-regional White Paper will be published shortly.

Manufacturing Industries: Government Assistance

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking together with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to assist manufacturing industries.

Mark Prisk: The Government are supporting manufacturing industries by creating a stable business environment that will give businesses the confidence they need to plan and invest for the future. We are doing this by creating a more supportive tax environment, freeing up credit through the banking system, reducing regulation, maximising the flexibility of the labour market and focusing on training and apprenticeships. For example, we have already redirected £150 million to create up to 50,000 extra apprenticeships, which will be workplace-based and employer-led. The Government announced in the spending review that they will invest up to £200 million to support manufacturing and business development focusing on high growth business and innovation particularly among small and medium sized businesses.
	Later in the year we will be launching a new approach to manufacturing that will highlight key ambitions, identify growth opportunities and set out a new framework of actions for both Government and industry.

Motor Vehicles: Government Assistance

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many vehicles purchased under the vehicle scrappage scheme were manufactured in the UK.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 21 October 2010
	 Although the scheme is now closed for new applications, transactions are still being processed and so the information requested is not currently available. Once final figures are available, further analysis of the data will also be required because certain vehicle models are both imported and manufactured in the UK.

Overseas Trade: Philippines

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he made of the contribution to the gross domestic product of trade with the Philippines in each of the last two years; whether he has had recent discussions with the government of the Philippines on trade; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: The benefits of international trade to gross domestic product (GDP) result from greater economic efficiency due to a combination of increased competition in markets, comparative advantages, economies of scale, increased opportunities for learning, and greater incentives for innovation. Due to the difficulty of differentiating between the impact of trade and other factors on growth, it is not possible to quantify precisely the impact of trade with another country on GDP.
	The following table indicates the scale of UK trade in goods and services to the Philippines for the years 2008 and 2009 as a proportion of GDP:
	
		
			   UK exports to the Philippines: percentage of UK GDP at market prices  UK imports from the Philippines: percentage of UK GDP at market prices 
			 2008 0.03 0.06 
			 2009 0.03 0.04 
		
	
	I have not held recent discussions with the Philippine Government. However, the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office responsible for South East Asia, held bilateral discussions with the Philippine Government when he visited the country between 20-22 July 2010. He called on the President of the Philippines and met key Cabinet Ministers and business leaders. The main objective of his visit was to strengthen trade and investment links between the UK and the Philippines.

Regional Development Agencies: Assets

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assets of regional development agencies are  (a) listed buildings,  (b) in conservation areas,  (c) in areas of outstanding natural beauty,  (d) in sites of specific scientific interest and  (e) in national parks.

Mark Prisk: The information is not held centrally in the format requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

South East England Development Agency

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the savings to accrue to the public purse from the abolition of the South East England Development Agency.

Mark Prisk: It is not possible at present to estimate the savings or costs arising from RDA closure. The work will be undertaken in a way that seeks to protect taxpayers' interests.

Students: Disadvantaged

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the Oral Statement of 18 October,  Official Report, column 629, on education policy, on what the £150 million of pupil premium allocated to enabling students from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter higher education will be spent; under what budgetary heading such expenditure will be incurred; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The Government are making funding available for a new national scholarship scheme. This is a separate stream of funding to the pupil premium and will have its own budgetary heading.
	We have no preconceived ideas about the shape of the scheme, except that it will be fair, affordable, and will make a real difference to some of the poorest students. Further information will be made available as the scheme is developed.

Students: Loans

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the resource accounting and budgeting (RAB) charge on student loans is; and if he will estimate the likely RAB charge consequent on the implementation of the proposals of the Independent Review of Higher Education and Student Finance.

David Willetts: holding answer 21 October 2010
	 The total amount of income contingent repayment loans issued to English domiciled students studying in the UK and EU domiciled students studying in England in financial year 2009-10 was £5,049 million. The increase in interest and write-off subsidies during 2009-10 was £1,361 million.
	The RAB charge for 2011-12 and future years will depend on the outcome of the comprehensive spending review which the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 20 October, and on the response to the Browne review of higher education and student finance. This is a substantial report and we shall consult further on some of the more detailed proposals before making specific recommendations to Parliament, with a view to implementing the changes for students entering higher education in autumn 2012.

Students: Loans

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect on funding for student support of any changes to resource accounting and budgeting charges on student loans consequent on implementation of the proposals in the Browne review of higher education funding.

David Willetts: The RAB charge and student support funding for 2011-12 and future years will depend on the outcome of the comprehensive spending review which the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 20 October, and on the response to the Browne review of higher education and student finance. This is a substantial report and we shall consult further on some of the more detailed proposals before making specific recommendations to Parliament, with a view to implementing the changes for students entering higher education in autumn 2012.

Summer Time

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on proposals for the introduction of single and double summer time.

Edward Davey: I have not taken part in any recent discussions with the Scottish Executive on proposals for the introduction of single double summer time. However, recent official level discussions have confirmed that the Scottish Government remain opposed to any change to the current arrangement.

Telephone Services: Fraud

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage telecommunications providers to prevent dial-through fraud.

Edward Vaizey: Fraud is an offence which the Government take very seriously. Dial-through fraud (DTF) occurs when hackers gain access to a PBX voicemail system or VoIP network and then exploit its vulnerabilities to make national and international calls at a company's expense. According to the Telecommunications United Kingdom Fraud Forum (TUFF) membership survey in 2009, communications and service providers reported that 98% of businesses that were hit by hackers also suffered from DTF.
	In February 2010, TUFF and BT Wholesale issued a 16 point plan that companies can adopt to prevent DTF and protect their assets.
	Fraud arising from unauthorised access to dial-through functions can be exacerbated by non-existent or ineffective access security measures to protect against unauthorised access to on-site or remote maintenance functions. The unauthorised reconfiguration of, or access to system information, can facilitate unauthorised access to dial-through functions. Should companies suspect that they have experienced DTF, they should take the appropriate steps to make their systems as secure as possible.

Telephone Services: Fraud

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate he has made of the annual cost to businesses of dial-through fraud.

Edward Vaizey: This Department has made no such estimate. The Telecommunications United Kingdom Fraud Forum (TUFF) surveyed its members in 2009, and found that 98% of businesses that were hit by hackers also suffered losses through dial through fraud.

Telephone Services: Missing Persons

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress his Department is making on the implementation of his Department's proposals on  (a) the 116 000 number and  (b) missing people's existing helpline numbers; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: Reservation and assignment of the 116 000 number and all other reserved numbers in the 116 numbering range is a matter for the regulator Ofcom. In allocating interested service providers to numbers Ofcom is guided by an advisory committee established under the Contact Council and now co-ordinated by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	116 000 was the inaugural and only number established at the time of the original European Commission Decision (2007/116/EC). Ofcom launched a comparative selection process to identify a service provider for the "Hotline for Missing Children" in February 2009. As a result 116 000 was allocated to the charity Missing People and its chosen communications provider BT on 17 May 2010. 116 000 is now operational alongside Missing People's existing numbers.
	Low key promotion of the 116 000 number will commence in November 2010 at selected UK entry points. Pan-European marketing material provided by Missing Children Europe will be used. Operational readiness will then be assessed, leading to a high profile launch of 116 000 in April 2012. At that point, 116 000 will become Missing People's prime contact number, replacing the promotion of the existing three helpline numbers.

UK Intellectual Property Office: Internet

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  on how many occasions and for what periods the website of the Intellectual Property Office has been unresponsive as a result of denial of service attacks in the last three years;
	(2)  what reports he has received on the denial of service attacks on the Intellectual Property Office's website on 16 October 2010; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what reports he has received on denial of service attacks undertaken on websites carried out under the banner of Operation Payback; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: This Department was approached by one private sector company that was suffering a denial of service attack attributed to Operation Payback. Officials advised that company where to seek advice and to report the attack to the police. In the past week this Department has been working with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) on the similar attack on its website. This is the first time in the last three years that the Intellectual Property Office website has been unresponsive as a result of denial of service attacks. The IPO has taken advice from experts within Government and its service has now been restored. The Government clearly abhor this sort of direct action and the impact it has on businesses consumers and citizens who rely on access to Government websites for the delivery of important services, and call on those taking part to behave responsibly. The question as to whether this can be regarded as a criminal act is a matter for the appropriate authorities.

Yorkshire Forward

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what process his Department has put in place for disposing of the assets of Yorkshire Forward; and when his Department expects to determine the future ownership of  (a) the Odeon site and car park, Princes Way, Bradford,  (b) the former Bradford Business and Innovation Centre,  (c) the former police headquarters at The Tyres, Bradford,  (d) land at the former Furniture City warehouse site at Valley Road, Bradford and  (e) land at 2-16 Great Horton Road, Bradford.

Mark Prisk: BIS is working with the RDAs and other Departments to develop plans for disposal or transfer of assets and liabilities. These will be based on the existing statutory framework until new legislation comes into force, alongside the guidance in Managing Public Money. These principles will govern Yorkshire Forward's own closure plans covering the period up to March 2012, including disposal of assets in Bradford. No decision has yet been made on any specific asset and no dates have been set for the transfer or disposal of specific assets and liabilities.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Visits Abroad

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on overseas visits for senior officials in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Owen Paterson: Information reflecting the Department as it is now configured, following the completion of devolution, is not available for the period before 12 April 2010.
	For the period from 12 April to 30 September 2010, my Department has spent £4,810 on travel by senior civil servants in support of an official visit that I undertook to America.
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Departmental Contracts

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what contracts his Department has awarded to voluntary sector organisations in the last two years; and what the monetary value was of each such contract.

Gregory Barker: holding answer 18 October 2010
	 The Department of Energy and Climate Change was formed on 3 October 2008. The Department did not award any contracts to voluntary organisations during the financial year 2008-09.
	Contracts awarded by the Department during the financial year 2009-10 to such organisations are as follows:
	
		
			  Voluntary organisation  Amount paid (£) 
			 Action for a Global Climate Community Ltd. 8,000.00 
			 Barnardo's 56,226.00 
			 Keep Britain Tidy 40,000.00 
			 National Energy Action 1,209,969.25 
			 The London Wildlife Trust 1,130.00 
			 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) 50,000.00

Fuel Poverty: North East

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the number and proportion of households in  (a) Gateshead constituency,  (b) Tyne and Wear and  (c) the North East in fuel poverty.

Gregory Barker: In 2006, the most recent year for which sub-regional figures are available, there were around 4,800 (14%) fuel poor households in the Gateshead East and Washington West constituency and 75,600 (16%) fuel poor households in the county of Tyne and Wear. Gateshead East and Washington West was replaced by the constituency of Gateshead and the constituency of Washington and Sunderland West in 2010.
	In 2008, there were 236,000 (21%) fuel poor households in the North East.

Heat Pumps

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his most recent estimate is of the proportion of installed heat pumps which fail to meet the required EU standard on coefficient of performance.

Gregory Barker: The EU standard, given in Annex VII of Directive 2009/28/EC, is based on the total useable heat delivered, the average seasonal performance factor and the efficiency of electrical generation. As the Commission has yet to establish how member states are to estimate these factors it is not possible to estimate the proportion of installed heat pumps that will fail to meet that standard.
	Interim results from recent field trials show there is a significant range of domestic heat pump performance, from good to disappointing. Some of the reasons for poor performance are understood and others are being investigated in these ongoing trials. This information should help us to estimate the proportion that may fail to meet the required standard-once the standard has been established.

Human Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department and its non-departmental public bodies of compliance with  (a) domestic,  (b) European and  (c) other international human rights requirements in each year since the Department's inception; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not collate information on the costs of compliance with human rights requirements. Where relevant, the Department takes account of the domestic and international human rights framework in developing all its policies and practices, as it does other relevant legal obligations; an accurate estimate of the total cost of compliance with human rights obligations could not be made without incurring disproportionate cost.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Capita

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many contracts his Department has with Capita; and how much it has paid to Capita under such contracts in 2010-11 to date.

Bob Neill: The Department has only one contract with Capita and the total spend to date in this financial year is £1,296,145. This contract was awarded in December 2009 to establish a managed service for the recruitment of all specialist contractors and interim managers (including finance, IT, HR, PPM, procurement, communications and other niche requirements). Spending for 2008-09 and 2009-10 can be found online on my Department's website as part of our initiative to open up Government spending over £500.

Departmental Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was paid to officials in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies in bonuses and other payments in addition to salary in each year since 1997; how many officials received such payments; and what the monetary value was of the largest 20 payments made in each such year.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government was created in 2006. The following table shows the amount paid in bonuses and the number of staff who received them in the main Department since that date.
	
		
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 Number of staff 478 391 570 587 
			 Bonuses (£) 838,250 1,018,350 1,284,549 1,188,133 
		
	
	The largest 20 bonus payments in these years are shown in the following table (in £5,000 increments):
	
		
			  Bonus size  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 £5,000-£10,000 37 56 54 63 
			 £10,001-£15,000 4 37 34 34 
			 £15,001-£20,000 0 9 2 0 
			 £20,001-£30,000 1 3 1 0 
		
	
	The following table shows the amounts paid in other payments in addition to salary in each year since 2006 although there is a disproportionate cost involved in identifying the numbers of staff who received them.
	
		
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 Allowances (£) 514,000 569,000 522,000 674,000 
		
	
	The allowances paid are under review.

Departmental Sick Leave

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for how many days on average his Department's staff in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in 2009-10.

Bob Neill: The following table outlines the average working days lost by CLG staff in each pay grade as a result of ill-health in 2009-10.
	
		
			  Grade equivalent  Average working days lost 
			 AA/AO 12.5 
			 EO 6.8 
			 HEO 4.2 
			 SEO 5.1 
			 G7 3.1 
			 G6 1.7 
			 SCS 1.0

Departmental Sick Leave

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many days his Department has lost to staff sickness in each year since 1997; and what estimate he made of the cost to his Department of sickness absence in each such year.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government was formed in May 2006 and the following table details the days lost to staff sickness in the Main Department in each financial year since that date, with estimated costs.
	
		
			  Financial year  Working days absence  Estimated cost (£000) 
			 2006-07 13,366 1,196 
			 2007-08 15,090 1,393 
			 2008-09 13,335 1,323 
			 2009-10 12,378 1,191 
			 2010(1) 6,689 646 
			 (1) To 30 September.

Departmental Visits Abroad

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on overseas visits for senior officials in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Bob Neill: For the period 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010 the Department spent £166,520 on overseas visits.
	Identifying what was spent solely by senior staff could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Fire Services: Finance

Conor Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how much funding was allocated to each fire authority for the financial year  (a) 2010-11 and  (b) 1996-97;
	(2)  how much funding per head of population was allocated to the Dorset Fire Authority for the financial year  (a) 2010-11 and  (b) 1996-97.

Bob Neill: Formula grant allocated to each single service fire and rescue authority in  (a) 2010-11 and  (b) 1996-97 is shown in the following table.
	In 1996-97, only metropolitan fire and rescue authorities were in existence. In shire areas, county councils had the responsibility for providing this service as well as providing other services such as education and social services. It is not possible to identify how much was allocated for fire for those authorities.
	
		
			  Fire and rescue authority  Formula Grant in 1996-97( 1)  (£ million)  Formula Grant in 2010-11( 2)  (£ million) 
			 London Fire/GLA-fire 204.722 259.574 
			 Greater Manchester FRA 58.340 75.335 
			 Merseyside FRA 39.122 46.305 
			 South Yorkshire FRA 25.153 36.770 
			 Tyne and Wear FRA 30.608 35.570 
			 West Midlands FRA 56.240 80.813 
			 West Yorkshire FRA 44.562 57.490 
			 Avon FRA n/a 24.879 
			 Bedfordshire FRA n/a 11.386 
			 Berkshire FRA n/a 15.423 
			 Buckinghamshire FRA n/a 11.452 
			 Cambridgeshire FRA n/a 14.443 
			 Cheshire FRA n/a 18.621 
			 Cleveland FRA n/a 22.382 
			 Derbyshire FRA n/a 19.674 
			 Devon and Somerset FRA n/a 31.245 
			 Dorset FRA n/a 11.001 
			 Durham FRA n/a 14.529 
			 East Sussex FRA n/a 14.673 
			 Essex FRA n/a 32.371 
			 Hampshire FRA n/a 29.266 
			 Hereford and Worcester FRA n/a 10.668 
			 Humberside FRA n/a 27.174 
			 Kent FRA n/a 29.596 
			 Lancashire FRA n/a 32.608 
			 Leicestershire FRA n/a 18.840 
			 North Yorkshire FRA n/a 12.968 
			 Nottinghamshire FRA n/a 25.010 
			 Shropshire FRA n/a 8.268 
			 Staffordshire FRA n/a 18.600 
			 Wiltshire FRA n/a 9.587 
			 (1) In 1996-97, formula grant comprises revenue support grant, redistributed business rates, principal formula police grant, SSA reduction grant (SSA review), SSA reduction grant (police funding review) where appropriate. (2) In 2010-11, formula grant comprises revenue support grant, redistributed business rates and principal formula police grant where appropriate. 
		
	
	As formula grant reflects changes in funding and functions, a comparison between the two years will not be on a like-for-like basis.
	Dorset Fire and Rescue Authority received formula grant of £15.43 per head in 2010-11. There is no figure for 1996-97 as the authority did not exist. The per head figure has been calculated using the main measure of population used in settlement, i.e. the revised 2004-based sub-national population projection for 2010.

Housing: Immigrants

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his Department's most recent assessment is of the effects on housing demand of immigration; what equivalent assessments his Department has made since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: The potential future demand for housing can be informed by CLG's household projections. The latest projections were published on the CLG website in March 2009:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/2031households0309
	and are based on the 2006-based population projections produced by the Office for National Statistics. They provide a long-term view of the net growth in the number of households given a projected population and previous demographic trends. As such the household projections do not take into account changes in policy or economic circumstances that may have a material effect on future household formation and do not explicitly reflect the different tenure pattern and household formation of migrant groups. The household projections reflect a net position; the number of newly forming households net of those that dissolve. Using the zero net migration population variant it is estimated that net international migration could account, on average, for 40% of the net growth in households in England over the projection period from 2006 to 2031.
	However, this does not directly equate to the actual effective demand for housing. This will also be determined by factors such as the ability of individual households to meet the cost of housing which is in turn influenced by the wider economic context. These projections also do not take into account the 2008-based population projections, subsequently published by the ONS, which include lower projected levels of net international migration. CLG expect to publish 2008-based household projections in November 2010.
	Equivalent assessments were made for the household projections from a 2003-base and 2004-base. Using the zero net migration population variant in the 2004-based projections it was estimated that net international migration could account, on average, for around a third of the net growth in households in England to 2026. The equivalent estimate in the 2003-based projections was that net international migration accounted for around a quarter of household growth from 2003 to 2026.

Local Government: Sponsorship

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department makes available to local authorities on attracting sponsorship from local businesses to support their services; and what plans he has for the future of arrangements for such sponsorship.

Bob Neill: The Department does not publish guidance on attracting sponsorships. Councils ought to consider opportunities to raise income, including sponsorship, to protect valued local services and keep council tax bills down; decisions on these matters are rightly for individual local authorities to take.

Mayors: Referendums

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost of holding confirmatory referendums on directly-elected mayors in each of the 12 largest cities in England;
	(2)  whether he plans to provide funds for the holding of confirmatory referendums on directly-elected mayors in the 12 largest cities in England.

Bob Neill: Issues relating to the implementation of the coalition agreement commitment to create directly elected mayors in the 12 largest English cities, subject to confirmatory referendums and full scrutiny by elected councillors, will be addressed when the localism Bill is presented to Parliament.

Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will reinstate business rate relief for empty properties by 2015.

Bob Neill: We appreciate the problems caused by the last Government's increases in the burden of empty property rates, especially given the fact they were imposed at a time when firms faced significant difficulties in renting out empty property. The new Government's ability to take action on this matter is restricted by the high costs-the last Government estimated that the change would increase net tax yield by £950 million in 2008-09. As a result, any action will need to be balanced against the overriding need to reduce public expenditure and support the economy generally by reducing the deficit. However, we keep all taxes under review, including this specific issue. We recognise the burden of business rates on local firms, and we have already taken action to increase small business rate relief and scrap the unfair 'ports tax' on firms which threatened to inflict significant harm on Britain's manufacturing sector.

Parish Councils

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department has issued on the conduct of its review of parish boundaries.

Bob Neill: The Department has published Guidance on Community Governance Reviews jointly with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to assist principal councils when undertaking parish boundary reviews. The guidance can be seen at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/guidancecommunitygovernance2010#

Planning

Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to give local councils and neighbourhoods more powers to take decisions on planning; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The coalition Government is committed to a radical reform of the planning system to give neighbourhoods far more ability to determine the shape of the places in which their inhabitants live, based on the principles set out in the Conservative Party publication, "Open Source Planning".
	We have already made a good start on returning power to local authorities by scrapping regional strategies and their centrally imposed building targets and scrapping housing density targets. Our action on re-designating back gardens and abolishing the unaccountable Infrastructure Planning Commission also means more control for the local level.
	Further proposals to decentralise planning back to local authorities and neighbourhoods will be set out in the localism Bill.

Planning Inspectorate

Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he intends to review the  (a) role,  (b) responsibilities and  (c) powers of the Planning Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: There are no proposals to review the Planning Inspectorate in addition to those already announced. My hon. Friend will be aware that on 29 June 2010 the Minister for Decentralisation confirmed that the Infrastructure Planning Commission would be abolished and replaced with a Major Infrastructure Planning Unit, to be established in the Planning Inspectorate, to continue fast tracking major infrastructure projects. This is in line with the coalition agreement. It will affect the role and responsibilities of the Planning Inspectorate, but the details are yet to be finalised.

Social Rented Housing: Immigrants

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of the new  (a) local authority social lettings and  (b) registered social landlord lettings were made to foreign nationals from (i) A8 countries and Romania and Bulgaria, (ii) other EU member states and (iii) non-EU member states in 2009-10; and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last 30 years.

Andrew Stunell: Figures for the 2009-10 financial year are not yet available but will be published on the Communities and Local Government website in December 2010 in table 754, which can be accessed at the following link:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/rentslettings/livetables/
	Information on the number of foreign national households receiving social housing is collected through the Continuous Recording of Letting form (CORE). Historically CORE has only collected information from registered social landlords, though a number of local authorities are now also providing information through this process.
	A question on nationality was first introduced to the form for the 2006-07 data collection period. For historical data, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 July 2010,  Official Report, column 1048W.

Social Rented Housing: Immigrants

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his most recent estimate is of the number of households in social housing headed by a foreign national; what proportion this represents of all households in social housing; and what the equivalent figures were in each year since 1997.

Andrew Stunell: Data on the nationality of householders have only been collected by the Department since 2005-06 when relevant questions were first included in the Survey of English Housing. In 2008 this survey was merged with the English House Condition Survey to form the English Housing Survey.
	Estimates of the number of households in social housing headed by a foreign national are presented in the following table. The definition of 'foreign national' used is consistent with that used in published results from the Survey of English Housing; namely a foreign national is someone who is not a national of the UK or Ireland.
	
		
			  Social sector households headed by a foreign national, England 
			   Number of households in social housing (thousand)  Proportion of all households in social housing (percentage) 
			 2005-06 and 2006-07 311 7.9 
			 2006-07 and 2007-08 308 7.7 
			  Note: Estimates are presented as a two-year rolling average due to sample size considerations  Source: Survey of English Housing 
		
	
	An estimate for 2007-08 and 2008-09 will be available on 27 October 2010 when the English Housing Survey Household Report 2008-09 is published.

Supporting People Programme

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will examine the effectiveness of operation of the formula used to calculate the grant to local authorities under the Supporting People programme in respect of  (a) Wolverhampton and  (b) other cities of comparable population.

Bob Neill: Decisions regarding the allocation of the Supporting People programme to local authorities have yet to be agreed. Further details on the allocation will be announced alongside the local government settlement in December.

Supporting People Programme: Finance

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the change in the budget for Supporting People  (a) nationally and  (b) in Sunderland local authority area in (i) cash and (ii) percentage terms in each of the next three years.

Bob Neill: My Department has minimised reductions to the Supporting People programme with £6.5 billion investment secured over the next four years. This represents reductions in Supporting People funding to just 12% staged gradually over the four year period. Further details on the local authority allocations will be announced alongside the local government settlement in December.

Travelling Showmen

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his plans are for the future of Planning Circular 04/2007 on travelling showpeople.

Andrew Stunell: In parallel with the intended revocation of Planning Circular 01/06 on Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Sites, the Government intend to revoke Planning Circular 04/2007 "Planning for Travelling Showpeople" subject to the necessary impact assessments and following a public consultation. The circular will be replaced with a short policy statement and light-touch guidance.